Boy suspended for wearing his hair too long

[cheermom1]

At 4 years old a childs hairstyle is the parents choice. At 16 it is the childs. Regardless, what the heck does it matter how ANYONE wears their hair?

that's what I'm saying ...it seems to me that this boy being suspended is distracting the class...

 

[mominwestlake]

I did not read the article but saw the story on the news today. The kid is 4. He doesn't even have to go to school. Is he in preschool? Aren't there numerous preschools in Atlanta? The news had the mother saying how they slicked it back, put a ponytale in, and use bobbypins in the back. Isn't that a little bizarre? Wouldn't a haircut be easier? I think if it's gone this far the mother just wants her 5 minutes of fame.

 

[C.Ann]

Since when does braiding ones hair make their scalp bleed? That's really grasping at straws..

Again - don't like the rules? Home school or pay for him to attend a school with no "hair" policy.. Doesn't matter if he's 4 or he's 14.. You don't enroll your child in a school that has specific guidelines and then decide on a whim that they don't apply to "your" child..

Sorry - that just screams "entitlement issues" to me..

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Schools do have a right to enforce dress codes, but suspensions don't seem link the answer to a dress code issue.

 

[disykat]

I just feel bad for the little boy. He's 4, and has to spend his days alone in the library? I think that's heartbreaking. His parents need to either fall in line with the school's rules, or transfer their son somewhere else. I don't think it's fair at all to make him suffer while they make some grand statement about personal freedoms.
I do, however, think the rule is stupid and that if braids are allowed, a pony tail should be allowed.

I agree. Shame on those parents for putting him through this. At 4, they don't even legally need to have him in school yet. Pull him out, keep him home or send him elsewhere, and fight this battle without him in the middle of it. Having their son in the middle of this is a publicity stunt, plain and simple.

 

[DizBelle]

Whatever the hair grooming policy is, it should apply to both girls and boys. If girls can have hair longer than their collar and earlobe, then it should be ok for boys.

The grooming code should state that hair should be well groomed. If it makes any statement or restriction about length, it should be that hair cannot be too long and unbound as to cause problems by other people stepping on it or it getting in the way during gym or causing a potential danger in a lab class.

 

[Piecey]

Since when does braiding ones hair make their scalp bleed? That's really grasping at straws..

Again - don't like the rules? Home school or pay for him to attend a school with no "hair" policy.. Doesn't matter if he's 4 or he's 14.. You don't enroll your child in a school that has specific guidelines and then decide on a whim that they don't apply to "your" child..

Sorry - that just screams "entitlement issues" to me..

My issue is that I disagree that long hair on boys is distracting (which is what their dress code claims).
His hair isn't distracting anyone. A girl with hair halfway down her back is more distracting because every time she turns her head the hair is going to brush against the desk, hit someone next to her, etc..

Some people can't take their hair in a "tight" hairstyle like a braid. I can't. My scalp gets irritated if the braid is too tight. So I don't braid my hair or wear tight ponytails and I keep my hair short... all of which are my decisions and not distracting to anyone.

I think they should leave the kid alone. But I also don't think that I'd fight over the hairstyle of my 4 year old.

 

[mominwestlake]

I agree. Shame on those parents for putting him through this. At 4, they don't even legally need to have him in school yet. Pull him out, keep him home or send him elsewhere, and fight this battle without him in the middle of it. Having their son in the middle of this is a publicity stunt, plain and simple.

I agree 100%

 

[Donnainnj]

From what I read, this is a public school. Unless they have the same rule for girls hair I can't see it passing the test.

 

[luvmy3]

I can't believe Elizabeth Taylor would behave in such a way.

 

[kathie859]

I have to wonder if this poor child is this mother's firstborn and only child If Mom thinks this grooming requirement is just too much--I can't wait for her to start critiqueing curriculum, PTA/PTO fund raising efforts and the amount of homework that junior gets. This kid just doesn't have a chance since he'll always be "the kid whose mother went toe to toe with the schoolboard over long hair on a BOY!!". She should let junior focus on learning, insure he goes to an excellent university, get that advanced degree in rocket science, win the Nobel Peace prize and THEN he can grow his hair any old way he wants.

 

[C.Ann]

My issue is that I disagree that long hair on boys is distracting (which is what their dress code claims)..

But see - that's the problem right there.. If you enroll your child in a school; a sport; girl scouts; boy scouts; - whatever - you know the "rules" upfront.. That is the time to make your decision as to whether you feel the rules are valid - and IF you want to place your child in that situation - knowing full well that you will be expected to adhere to those rules.. If the rules are not to your liking, obviously the logical choice is to not enroll your child in the "whatever" and choose an alternative that has rules that you ARE willing to abide by..

Basically this child is being punished because his mother has entitlement issues.. "She" has taken it upon herself to decide that "her" child isn't required to follow the same rules that the other boys are.. So what does that teach her child? That "rules" only apply to "others" - not him..

I see some long, ugly school years ahead - for the son - and for the school officials that have to deal with his mom and her entitlement issues..

 

[minniecarousel]

While I don't think that hair is a big enough deal to fight over (especially in a child that young - it's his parents crying over his hair) I find the school district's insistence on "conformity" a little stifling.

On its Web site, the district says its code is in place because "students who dress and groom themselves neatly, and in an acceptable and appropriate manner, are more likely to become constructive members of the society in which we live."

....as if free spirits & non-conforming individuals are non-contributors to society.

 

[JessicaR]

I have a question. For those that feel the parents should conform and cut this boys hair. Please tell me why a girl can have long hair but a boy can't. For the life of me I can't think of ONE single valid reason.

I would fight this tooth and nail.

Apparently a short while ago his Dad took a picture of a boy in the same school that abides by the same rules with longer hair than Taylor has. The boy was receiving an award and the picture was snapped and shown to a school official. The officials reply is like police we ticket those we catch. Really!?! So its OK for some but not others? This is total crap.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

While I don't think that hair is a big enough deal to fight over (especially in a child that young - it's his parents crying over his hair) I find the school district's insistence on "conformity" a little stifling.

On its Web site, the district says its code is in place because "students who dress and groom themselves neatly, and in an acceptable and appropriate manner, are more likely to become constructive members of the society in which we live."

....as if free spirits & non-conforming individuals are non-contributors to society.

I agree that the district's wording of the dress code is rather harsh. However, I also agree with others who said the parents should have known the rules in advance and shouldn't expect their child to be excepted. Before you enroll your kids in school, do your homework. Read the rules. Learn the school's philosophy. If you don't agree with something, decide whether it's a big enough issue that you'd be better off finding another school for your kid. Besides, does anyone really think the boy wants his long hair? Even if he does, it's not his choice at 4 years old.

 

[imabrat]

I sure wouldn't consider this a hill worth dying on. There are battles in life worth fighting, some tooth and nail, but I sure don't see this as one of them.

Agreed. Rules are rules, they're there for a reason. Each establishment has their own set of rules, if you don't like it you're free to go somewhere else. They are certainly entitled to have their own rules, and you are certainly entitled not to follow those rules. However, when you break the rules don't get angry when you're penalized.

Hair is NOT that important. It's just hair, dead junk growing off the top of your head. This is an important thing I learned when I lost my hair, which was traumatic being a teenage girl.

I just feel bad for the little boy. He's 4, and has to spend his days alone in the library? I think that's heartbreaking. His parents need to either fall in line with the school's rules, or transfer their son somewhere else. I don't think it's fair at all to make him suffer while they make some grand statement about personal freedoms.
I do, however, think the rule is stupid and that if braids are allowed, a pony tail should be allowed.

Amen! I also think the rule is stupid and agree that pony tails should be allowed. .

 

[mhsjax]

My son has very long hair and I'd defend his right to do that at almost any cost. We don't live in a small minded, backwards area so it's not an issue, thank good ness. The dress code here consists of 'no profanity or off color tee shirt slogans/photos- no underwear showing-clothes and shoes must be worn.' Long hair is not 'disruptive' unless you're an old fogie, lol!

I completely agree, my youngest has long hair, he is 9. Last year we cut his hair because he had been asking us to. HIs teachers gave me so much grief for cutting his hair and made me promise not to do it again. lol

And by the way, I do live in a VERY conservative area and they don't have a problem at all.

 

[christineann]

It looks like the mother wants her 15 minutes of fame. Too bad it's at the expense of her son. I taught 3 and 4 year olds for years, and I never met a little boy who cared so deeply about his hair. Little boys do not want to look like little girls, and when I saw his photo, my first thought was that this little guy better be a good fighter*. Though the mother says this is what he wants, I bet he'd rather cut his hair (if he cares at all) and be with the other kids.

To the mother: your school (like society) has its norms and/or rules, good or bad, and if you want to buck the system, be prepared for the reactions of others. If that's ok with you, fine, but don't ostracize a 4 year old and set him up for constant in-school suspension so you can get attention


*sarcasm

 

[JessicaR]

I don't know aything about this family but it is possible this little boy likes his hair. I imagine at 4-5 it is completely likely that he does have an opinion. That aside policies change ALL the time and this could open the door for that.
Like I said without knowing his parents it would be very wrong to say the mom wants her 15 minutes of fame. Thats just pure speculation.

 

[christineann]

I saw a TV interview with the mother, and she was a bit over the top. The little boy didn't really seem to care about his hair. If she wants to fight the school district, fine, but unless and until the rules are changed, the child will bear the consequences.

If she doesn't like the rules of the school district, there are other options for the child's education, including home schooling. As things are now, the little boy is segregated from the other children, and I wonder how this affects his social development.